Most deaths and destruction were on LeyteIsland, where Tacloban is located. Eduardo Del Rosario, head of the national disaster relief agency, said that so far 720,000 people have been evacuated from 22 provinces.

At least 12 local airports have now been closed, including those servicing the popular tourist island destinations of Palawan, Bohol and Boracay, the report added.

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Image: Survivors stand among debris and ruins of houses destroyed after Super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city in central PhilippinesPhotographs: Erik De Castro/Reuters